Game 33: Mariners at Yankees
-
- May
- 4
YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Ensberg 3B
Moeller C
Rasner RHP
Carlos Silva vs. the New York hitters.
Darrell Rasner vs. the Seattle hitters.
Notes: Ian Kennedy has been demoted to Scranton to make room for Rasner on the 25-man roster. Brian Bruney was moved to the 60-day DL to clear space on the 40-man roster.
Tough blow for Kennedy but probably the right thing to do given his struggles. … Thanks to Kevin Devaney for calling in the info. Enjoy the game.
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on Sunday, May 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am by Peter Abraham.
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I’m looking for Rasner to be a pleasant surprise. He’s playing with house money, so to speak, and hopefully will do well.
Almost an identical lienup to yesterday except for Moeller. Silva has not impressed me over the years, yes he gets high strikeout numbers, but he can give up a ton of runs. Hopefully we’ll get the sweep today.
Get ready to whip out the brooms!!
Darrell Rasner = Aaron Small from a couple of years ago!!
Kennedy demoted, wow.
I don’t want to see Damon in center. I want him in the line up, but I want him playing left field.Typo, Pete, you’re gonna scare a bunch of people…
Generation Ney
What a bad move. Kennedy has shown improvement in all of his starts. He has nothing left to prove in AAA. So much for developing young pitchers.
Hopefully IPK focuses and comes back to help for the second half at least.
If Rasner replaced Phil in the rotation, who is replacing Ian?
If Rasner replaced Phil in the rotation, who is replacing Ian?
KEI IGAWA STEP RIGHT UP
Wonderful.
WOW!! Thats a surprise. I was pretty sure its Britton leaving again. At least hes sticking around.
He hasn’t shown improvement in every start.
Every start has been the same. Short appearances, big innings, trouble throwing consistent strikes and trouble finishing hitters.
How can he have nothing left to prove in AAA if he hasn’t pitched that many innings in AAA?
The Yankees don’t need a 5th starter until May 10.
Does it really make sense to have him sit around for a week? He’s better off going to AAA and getting some consistent work at this time.
He has to get his confidence back and attack the strikezone. Unfortunately, the Yankees can’t wait for him to do it in NY.
If he can get it together in Scranton, he will be recalled.
Sending IPK to Scranton was the right thing to do. The Yankees flat out rushed him to the majors. Hope he takes the demotion well.
He’s only pitched 149 minor league innings, only 34 at the AAA level. That’s not nearly enough for him to learn how to pitch at the major league level.He’s a terrific kid and we wish him the best.
Could IPK be down only for the game?
Makes sense to keep the BP arm up in case Rasner is bad and IPK probably has more options then anyone else.
I think that sending Kennedy to Scranton was the right move. He needs to work out some things. The Yanks will only need a 5th starter 3 times this month which will not give him the opportunity to pitch much anyway. He can work in Scranton every 5th day.
Meanwhile I hope that Rasner does well today. Seattle is not a great offensive team and is probably a good opponent to face for his first major league start this year.
Nice look Rebecca
As Elland said lets not forget this is only Ian’s second season in professional baseball.
Sending Kennedy down is no surprise given that a 5th starter won’t ne needed but it’s still bothersome to see Giambi paraded out there every day and producing nothing. Rather than take a bat to the plate, he should bring a white flag and tell opposing fielders to position closer to the right field line just in case a ball bounces off of him.
I take it Moeller will be Rasner’s catcher for the duration of his time in the Majors, considering their familiiarity.
When Molina starts to catch for Rasner, that could mean that his stay will be more permanent.
Good Luck Darrel.
I was just gonna say you have 2 CF’s. Better fix that.
wow who had silva has always had strike out numbers, you must be thinkin of a different carlos silva
Good move. IPK is overmatched right now and needs further seasoning at the AAA..and perhaps AA..level. So does Phil Hughes.
As I’ve said over and over again, Cashman needs to go out and get an experienced No. 4 (at a minimum) rather than “roll the dice” in 2008 with their MiLB system. There are several prospects, but they take time to develop. The Yankees have a glut a talented righthanded pitchers. Use some of them to obtain a quality starter and a quality lefty relief pitcher.
Feel bad for Ian, but I suppose it is for the best. We will see him again. Get it together Ian!
Let’s get a win today.
LathamJoe….Maybe someone like Bronson Arroyo from the Reds…he has experience pitching in the AL East and has suceeded at times.
I liked Rasner when he first came up last year. There’s no reason he can’t be decent enough to be a #4-#5 starter to hold the fort.
Ian Kennedy was demoted to make room for Rasner. He has options and definitely has shown some improvement. It is very possible that he will pitch on his scheduled day in Scranton, and then come back up to pitch on May 10th for the Yankees.
Why send down Britton or Veras when you have a starter who doesn’t have a reason to pitch until may 10th? Let him dominate for 1 start in Scranton and get his confidence up. Then he can come back and continue the hopeful climb to success.
Goodbye Kennedy! Another AAAA pitcher returning to exactly where he belongs.
Matt,
I agree, Not a bad choice, as long as the price tag isn’t too much. We discussed that possibility in some of yesterday’s threads. The Reds have “overvalued” Yankee prospects in the past (Claussen, Henson, Yarnall), maybe they’ll go for a couple of “B” level prospects.
Ok JJ, I stand corrected, could’ve sworn Silva was a strikeout guy.
As for Kennedy, it is a procedural move due to the off day, but the Yankees can’t call him up for May 10th unless someone new goes on the DL. So it’s possible Kennedy won’t be back in the rotation until 5/15 at Tampa. The schedule gets much easier then anyway.
The question to me is who gets called up May 10th for the one shot deal in Detroit. I can’t imagine they give that to Igawa, so I think we may get a one time look at McCutchen. You heard it here first.
Why would anyone want Bronson Arroyo. The guy is an ***.
Theo- grow up, the guy is only in his second professional season. He needed to go down and regain his form. do you forget what he did last season?
I’d much rather give McCutchen a shot, than see Igawa back up here.
It will probably be either Stephen White or Igawa because both are on the 40 man roster.
If McCutcheon was the choice, they would have to make room for him on the 40 man roster and cancel his next scheduled start. Its slated for Tuesday. I doubt they will do that.
White and Igawa would be in line to pitch on the 10th and they wouldn’t have to make any additional procedural moves.
White has pitched better this season than Igawa. Conversely, they don’t have 46 million dollars tied up in White.
Don’t know which way they will go on this one.
Igawa pitches today. Will be interesting to see how he does.
That will probably play a role in the decision.
Theo
May 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Goodbye Kennedy! Another AAAA pitcher returning to exactly where he belongs.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yep, and the hitter’s grapevine will soon be figuring out the weaknesses of Buchholz just as they figured out Matsuzaka last year.
I am very pro-Kennedy, so don’t take this the wrong way. But Jennifer — what did he do last season? Pitch well in 3 Major League Games? Mussina just pitched well in 3 straight games. That doesn’t neccessarily mean I want him pitching a big game next year.
I’d rather see Shelley pitch a game than see Igawa.
I think that would actually be kinda fun.
“The question to me is who gets called up May 10th for the one shot deal in Detroit.”
JeffNJ:
My money is on either Steven White or Kei Ugh-Gawa.
Mike francesca is the worlds smartest man alive he said to trade ian kennedy for santana. if only the yankees were run by mike francesca, managed by mike francesca and in his spare time mike francesca could teach thoose filthy bloggers such as peter a thing or two.
Good move on IPK.
Clearly, he needs to get his groove back, and he is not going to get it back in the majors, especially with the upcoming May schedule.
Having said that, I expect IPK to be back in the Bronx by the end of the month, once he’s got back his bearings…
What will it take for Giambi to finally sit the bench!!? Its funny how some injury prone players seem to stay healthy in their contract year. It seems like that is the only way this waste will not be in the lineup.
Memo to Girardi. Hit and run with Giambi. Maybe that will do the job. Sorry for being harsh. But this is darn right ridiculous. If it was any other player who doesnt field his position he would have been say 2 weeks ago.
What are the chances that McCutchen gets a shot?
Yeah because the twins were going to take Ian for Santana straight up.
Mike is that you? I mean it has to be, because no one on the face of the earth can possibly believe you are smart.
Kennedy had a different problem than Hughes. It seemed like he would give a big inning per start. Could it be a lack of concentration? Would it help to have more coaches visits to the mound? Or catchers visits? Maybe slow down his delivery to the plate. Just trying to make sense of it all.
Mike francessa-I thought you were scared of the internet and the..what was it again…vicious and nasty blogs and websites
Santana is on pace to give up more bombs than last years 30. Worst of all hes in the n.l. I cant see him dominating like he has in the past. Its all down hill from here. In 2 years we’ll be looking at this no trade as the best move we’ve made. Melky an all star. Ian and Phil in the rotation winning 17 plus games.
Patrick your comment s dont even make sense. You say he has IPK has nothing left to prve in the minors yet he has hardly pitched in AAA> You say he has improved in all of his starts which is farther from the truth than your first comment, and then you say “so much for developing young pitchers”. Um that is what they are doing by sending him down to the minors, trying to develop him. I am starting to wonder if you even watch much baseball
In Kennedy’s last start, I thought he looked much better on the mound, until he got runners on base. Then, he fell apart. His pitches started missing; he took more time between them; his face became grimmaced. Once he got behind batters, he started putting pitches right over the plate, and they jumped on him. The inning he was pulled he looked utterly different than the previous innings. Small sample size, however.
“What will it take for Giambi to finally sit the bench!!?”
How about a legit alternative? If you add them all up, the Yankees have precisely ZERO MLB level 1B’s in their organization.
SOS- Agree about Giambi. The fact that he is not hiting is bad enought, but his defense (if you can call it that!) is hurting the team.
IPK has a total of 236 IPs IN HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER!.
34 IPs at the AAA level. 43 IPs at the MLB Level. Other than the 19 innings pitched in 2007, his starts have been disasterous.
He has okay stuff (compared to Hughes and Joba) and his strongest attributes are poise and excellent command - which he hasn’t come close to exhibiting this season.
What makes anyone feel that he’ll be ready in a Month?
I like IPK - hope he does comeback successfully in 2008. Odds this year? About as good as the Bloated Giambi winning an MVP Award. The Yankee Front Office made a judgemental error, Kennedy is not ready for MLB competition.
I think we all need to stop focusing on the Santana trade. If anyone actually thought that Hughes + Kennedy would be outperforming Santana at this point in the season - or even at this point next season - they were severely overestimating the career paths of young pitchers.
The fact is, 2008 and 2009 are likely going to be our rebuilding years. We’re integrating IPK, Hughes, and Joba into the rotation, we’re adding Edwar, Ohlendorf, and whatever young arms we can find in the minors to the bullpen, and we’re phasing out Giambi/Abreu as we search for younger/cheaper alternatives.
If the cost of this is a few ugly starts and some oscillation between the minors and the bigs for these guys, I think it’s a price worth paying. Yes, the Yankee dictum is “Win Now,” but it’s exactly that philosophy that creates bloated contracts and bloated payrolls.
does anyone else think the yes radar gun has been slow lately? it only had wang around 91-92 and joba around 94-96
Kennedy was foresaken a bit by weak outfield offense last time out, but he’s lacked mound presence and hasn’t responded well to adversity. Going from High A to the Al East in a year is an exceptionally difficult leap. He probably wasn’t quite readt for it.
mike francesca is the know all end all supreme intelligence.
funfact of the day mike francesca knows for a FACT that the yankees could have traded for santana by giving up austin jackson and kennedy..
jennifer mike francesca is not only intelligent but came close to winning the sexiest man of the year award for not just the year but the century.
Plus he has given up 5 homeruns in 2 games at home in a PITCHERS PARK!!!
“What will it take for Giambi to finally sit the bench!!?”
How about a legit alternative? If you add them all up, the Yankees have precisely ZERO MLB level 1B’s in their organization.”
Well put.
Okay now I know you are joking.
Kennedy will miss one start and he’ll be back, they don’t need a 5th starter for a little bit so he goes to AAA, makes a start, and he comes back when we need a 5th starter again
to me it’s a way to give him a “tune-up” start in AAA while clearing space on the roster for the time being
MIke francesca thinks phil hughes is a bust. that the only person fit to be the manager is mike francesca. and mike francesca came so close to winning the sexiest award but sadly lost the swimsuit competetion
Josh - I’ve thought the YES gun has been like 3-4 mph slow just about all year…. even Krazy Kyle has been throwing 94-95 on the YES gun
“How about a legit alternative? If you add them all up, the Yankees have precisely ZERO MLB level 1B’s in their organization.’
Does it matter? Its not like they are taking over a gold glove first baseman or anything. Hell put Gonzalez in there. Or better yet. The bat boy. Cant do any worse.
How about a legit alternative? If you add them all up, the Yankees have precisely ZERO MLB level 1B’s in their organization.”
How does Cashman explain that. A $200 million payroll and no legitimate first baseman.
Thank goodness Giambi’s contract is up after this season so maybe the Yanks can get a serviceable first baseman.
“Josh - I’ve thought the YES gun has been like 3-4 mph slow just about all year…. even Krazy Kyle has been throwing 94-95 on the YES gun”
In truth, it’s probably been 3-4 mph too fast the past few seasons.
“What will it take for Giambi to finally sit the bench!!?”
How about a legit alternative? If you add them all up, the Yankees have precisely ZERO MLB level 1B’s in their organization.”
Bet they can find someone in the Organization to put up better numbers that .154 BA, .320 OBP, field and throw better than Gator-Arms Giambi at 1B!
Anyone catch Jeter’s reaction yesterday when the Bloated Giambi floundered and flopped after a reachable double play throw from Jete? (After he also messed up a throw from Ensberg)
Jeter’s look said it all!
“Bet they can find someone in the Organization to put up better numbers that .154 BA, .320 OBP, field and throw better than Gator-Arms Giambi at 1B!”
I’m willing to bet I could find someone on this blog, nevermind the organization lol
Is today the day, that cano break’s out of his slump???
I believe in IPK/Phil, send them; down, up, sideways, I don’t care! The main thing is, get them back on track, right? If it takes a trip to AAA, so be it…talent will come through.
Can some of the people that want to trade for a #3/4 pitcher please name one we could have gotten, or can get now, without giving up the farm?
Sorry, but going back to the old way of doing things got us to this point in the first place. 27/08.
JoeT: You probably could.
great idea bloggers yankees starting 1b man mike francessca
“I’m willing to bet I could find someone on this blog, nevermind the organization lol”
Are you ready to answer the call Fredo?
On a more serious note…. why the hell doesn’t Giambi just hit the ball to the left side.. not drive the ball, not go against his natural swing etc….. just stick that bat out and poke it. He’s hitting 154.. poke the ball the other way and get on base. It’s not like he’s hitting .250 with a few home runs and he wants to keep pulling the ball to put it out, just get on base and start there
“Patrick your comment s dont even make sense. You say he has IPK has nothing left to prve in the minors yet he has hardly pitched in AAA> You say he has improved in all of his starts which is farther from the truth than your first comment, and then you say “so much for developing young pitchers”. Um that is what they are doing by sending him down to the minors, trying to develop him. I am starting to wonder if you even watch much baseball”
You don’t like my opinions so you find it necessary to insult me? Awesome. At least SJ made his point in a non-inflammatory way.
Kennedy HAS shown improvement in his last two starts. On the 26th he got through 5 innings and gave up 3 runs. In that start he had 1 bad inning where he walked several guys and gave up a couple bloop hits. His other 4 innings were very good.
Against Detroit last time out he looked very good in the first several innings. Again he had one bad inning which was partially due to horrible defense by Abreu and Damon.
Obviously what Kennedy is giving us right now is not very good but you can’t say he hasn’t shown improvement.
He really doesn’t have anything to prove at AAA, it doesn’t matter if he spent little time there. He ripped through the system because he was already a polished pitcher coming out of college. Not to mention AAA is a joke anyways, in some ways it’s weaker than AA.
Wow. I didn’t really expect to hear that news (about Kennedy). But thinking about it rationally instead of emotionally, it is better for him to go to AAA and work than sit in the majors and skip a couple of starts because a 5th starter is not needed. It comes down to where his Kennedy served better? Right now, it’s AAA. And consequently, if IPK is served better, then the ML club will be better in the long term as well. IPK will be back.
This season has had a topsy-turvy feel to it almost since — no, absolutely since — Day 1, and the rained out opening day game where it never really rained.
I hope Rasner has a good game today, at least a quality start.
Is anyone else feeling like this season isn’t going to get started for our Yankees until around the All-Star break????
JoeT:
Absolutely! He was stroking to Left in Spring Training. He could even BUNT and “waddle-it-out” for a hit!
it’s not a huge deal, but IMO demoting Kennedy was a poor decision. it’s not like there’s anyone with a better potential upside coming in to start on Saturday (or whenever the 5th guy gets slotted.)
i say this because why keep Britton around? even if u want to skip Kennedy’s next start, why not use Kennedy for long-relief/mop-up, which is a classic way of breaking youngsters in? that seems as good a way to give him a pause as demoting him. i don’t think Girardi will put Britton - or Ramirez (or Hawkins!), for that matter - in game situations, they seem to be mop-up guys. Kennedy at least would give more innings. how many 1-inning RHP relievers do the Yankees need, are they trying to break some sort of record?
Dont need to pull off a trade for a pitcher if Joba is a couple weeks away.
I am not insulting you, I was just telling you your logic made no sense. How is sending someone down to AAA that has been terrible in the majors not developing them? It is better for him to get things figured out down there than it is for him to get killed in the majors and hurt th eteam in the process. And please explain to me how AAA is a joke again?
Doreen: I’m with you. I think a lot of the first two months is just Joe Girardi figuring out what he has–both on the field and off–to deal with, but it’s nice to see that he’s making adjustments.
I dont know whats worse a 20 million dollar a year bunter or a pinch hitter/bench warmer? I still say write off our loses and bench him.
Pencil it in. 0 for x day for Cano.
On the pre-game show Kim just said that the Yanks have said that Igawa will probable take that #5 starter’s spot next week-end in Detroit.
S.O.S: The benchwarmer. Even if the pitcher is doing what you need him to, he’s only pitching every five days.
I just hope the Yankees don’t play musical chairs with pitchers in terms of starts. I think that will mess up all involved. Let Kennedy have three or four starts in Scranton to see what he can do in a relaxed setting. The same goes with Rasner. Let him have his normal rest between starts so his mental approach will be right. As for who replaces Kennedy, I think it should be White just because Igawa couldn’t get it done last year. But even it is Igawa stick with decision for at least three but preferably four starts.
From what I have read, the last offer from Twins was Kennedy AND Wang and another prospect. Want that deal?
If he does well. Pray that Igawa gets smacked around, so we can bring someone else up.
This year, you are right that is what I heard the final offer is too.
Gee, Cabrera, Ordonez and Sheff must be shaking in their boots as they await the great Igawa.
Hmm, sounds like IPK can’t handle the NYC spotlight. Even Bobby Murcer has commented on the bad sound of that.
Did you guys see the Inside Reporters?
Guests: Breton, Kay, and Lupica.
Yes, they killed Cashman.
No to any deal that includes Wang.
Mel - I missed it. What exactly did they kill him for? The Santana non-trade? Or just in general?
Breton + Kay + Lupica= a baseball IQ of 40. And Lupica hates the Yankees. Repeat, do you want to give up IPK and Wang and another prospect (Marquez or Horne, I think) fror Santana? I don’t.
It still doesnt mean that he isn’t going to get everyone out in the minors and have a zero era and then came back and continuce to nibble. We have seen that #’s in the minors mean nothing up here. Since Igawa is the Cy Young of AAAAA. But even he said maybe it is better that he goes down and doesn’t have to work out his struggles in front of 1 million eyes.
Lupica is a clown and a yankee hater. I just don’t get Michael Kay piling on too. I guess he is trying to develop some street cred b/c everyone knows who pays his salary.
I don’t think he’s that smart about his criticisms (especially of my man Moose)
Hmm, thought Rasner was called up when Hughes went to the DL, but apparently I’ve forgotten a recent move
Yeah Scorpio doesn’t sound good on Kennedy’s part. I guess he would rather pitch for the Rays, Pirates or Kansas City.
He seems to let everything bother him.
Have they decided to pitch the regular rotation and give everyone an extra day or are they going to skip the fifth starter?
Rasner’s stuff equates to Mussina (08) not good for Yanks pitching these guys back to back could get ugly
So eventually I’ll work on my paper that’s due tomorrow. Eventually.
I hope Igawa gets to pitch a day game because he looks so great in those shades
Wow - Michael Kay just reported on the pre-game show that Ian is quoted as saying that it may be a good thing that he will be in a smaller spotlight in Scranton (or something like that). I agree with Kay that this is pretty shocking for a player to admit and, as Bobby Murcer said, you want to see a player show more fight than that. Right now, Ian just can’t handle the pressure of NY - he’s going to get eaten alive by the media and the fans if this keeps up. Phil I have no worries about - I think he can handle this all (once he gets straightened out) in that the media and fan pressure doesn’t faze him. If he’s feeling pressure, it’s self-induced because he’s got very high expectations of himsef. Ian, like I said when Ken Rosenthal came out and quoted Ian last week (I think?) is a different story - and I don’t know what can be done. He’s not comfortable at all in this environment and that’s disturbing.
Fran,
Lupica talked about Cashman siding with Hal and Hank not being happy for years to come. (Lupica did acknowledge that getting Santana would’ve meant a half-billion dollar investment in 4 FA.
Kay said something.
Breton said that with the exception of Wang & Joba, he’s been a terrible evaluator of pitching, young & old.
Then they brought up Beckett/Schilling vs. Pavano/Johnson.
One observation. Please, Stop hitting Giambi the bum 5th, he’s not that good of a player anymore. And last time I checked, the only reason he’s allowed to be a defensive liability is because his bat makes up for poor fielding, a bat thats producing a whopping .154 average! Sorry to vent but I’m just tired of this loser and his whiney steroid-era style play, grounding out to end every inning the Yankees have runners on base. Don’t agree with me? Giambi is currently rated number 28 on CBS Sports rank of major league first basemen, ahead of KC’s Ross Gload and Boston’s Sean Casey (who, last time I checked, is a back-up). Most of his hits (7:5) have come in losses and to break down all 12 of “Big G’s” hits…
Bases Empty: 7-40
With Runners on: 5-38
RISP- 2-25
RISP w/ 2 out: 0-15
With the Bases Loaded: 0-5
Anybody that hits so poorly should no be allowed to be a liability in the field, much less be hitting 5th! I’d take my chances with Ensberg or Duncan and let Giambi become the game’s most over-paid pinch hitter/DH (when A-Rod and Posada return from the DL).
Rasner’s stuff equates to Mussina (08) not good for Yanks pitching these guys back to back could get ugly.
This issue is not how Rasner compares to Mussina. Mussina is currently the No. 3 starter.
Darrell Rasner’s career stats in MLB:
10-12 W-L Record, 4.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP.
Right now, that equates to better than both Hughes and Kennedy.
Well all I have to say to my baseball credit is that I called for moving out both Hughes and Kennedy and both moves were made. (Hughes ended up DLd but I think he would have been taking out of the rotation even if he weren’t DLd.)
I know that others were calling for the same thing but some posters did believe that we should have let them both continue on and work their stuff out.
I feel great relief that the Yankees made those moves. I can say that I do depart from anyone who feels that Kennedy and/or Hughes should be disappeared for good from the Yankees. I believe both have great potential. I just want them to realize it down below and then come back and show it off!
GO DARREL RASNER!
GO YANKEES!
GO SCOTT KAZMIR!
WHAT??!!
Wow I’m genuinely shocked. I know the writings were on the wall but I guess mentally I’m still on the bandwagon of Generation Trey (I can’t believe I just thought that, Michael Kay.)
I can’t believe they are sending Ian down so soon, I didn’t think they needed a 5th starter until next weekend and even then I thought they would give him one more chance because he was only awful for one inning each in his last two outings and it’s still early in the season (at least to me it is). But I understand with Alex and Jorge out and Cano and Jason so cold, we need to be particularly careful…Ok now I’m obviously just thinking out loud in disbelief and may not be making sense I’m sorry all because Im still in shock.
I think back to Ian’s latest post-game interview which I DVRed and watched after coming home from the game. On the subway ride home I kept wondering what he would say and if he would still fight and move forward. He said “I really tried and felt good out there but it didn’t work out as well as I wanted. I hope to do better next time.”
I hope next time comes soon for Ian kennedy and he will come back to the majors stronger and better.
Betsy maybe Kennedy could join Felix Hernandez in the “I can’t handle the bright lights of New York” group.
Kennedy’s quote is the reason why Scranton is the best place for him right now.
Not as punishment. Not as proof he can’t pitch in NY.
Simply, to clear his head and get his game back.
He is a better pitcher than he has shown in NY and, at this point, its not going to get better for him in NY if he is feeling that much pressure.
He’s early enough in his development curve that he can get it back.
Sending Melky back down ended up doing wonders for his career. Hopefully, the same thing happens to Kennedy.
Vina on baseball tonight said that cano is taking a step and his hands are starting through the plate too early.Stayed back last year.Could he have found cano’s flaw? How long will it take him to fix it?
I’m as disappointed in Ian’s play as anyone, but the organization really had no choice. And they do have options.
Being sent down at this point is no disgrace. Mickey Mantle got sent down in the spring in 1951, I think. He was so messed up, that he couldn’t hit at first in Kansas City either, and called his father about quitting - famous story.
My point is, Ian shouldn’t get down on himself, and if he does what he’s capable of, he’ll be back on the team later this year. I don’t think we’re going far with Kei Igawa.
S.o.S.
saw that too, hope Cano saw it as well.
Noted difference in stance, Kevin Long wake up!
Still trying to recover from my shock about IPK but just want to add:
Pete, I really enjoyed your article this morning on Girardi. I thought you were a bit harsh on him at times even though I knew he brought it on upon himself. But the article this morning I thought was very fair and insightful. I hope Girardi read it too and understands that a change in approach could only benefit him and the team.
Now let’s go Darrel Rasner!
Thanks Mel.
That was not very good by Rasner after 2 easy outs.
Oh well…this ain’t no AAA.
2 run homer.
Latham Joe i guess i wasn’t clear. What i meant to say is that they shouldn’t pitch back to back against the same team give them a different look . as i’m writing this 2-0 mariners this isn’t AAA
Wow - I hope Suzyn Waldman didn’t break an ankle jumping off the Daryl Rasner bandwagon.
Did Kay just say “first major league start” for Rasner? LMAO
What the hell? I refresh my gamecast, and it goes from 0-0, 2 outs, to all of a sudden 2-0 Mariners. Damnit.
I agree with not being worried about what Kennedy said. I didn’t take it as a white flag or red flag as much as saying it will help him to get his head straight.
As I said, the 3 of those are baseball idiots. The bosox wanted Pavano deperately. Ditto Contreras (remember the busted up furniture?). What they seem to omit is that Wang was part of the Twins’ demand. Does anyone believe that Cask would not have traded for Santana in a nanosecond if the demand was IPK and Horne? I don’t.
As for IPK, what I do not understand is that he performed so well in the heat of a pennant race in those 3 September starts, showing unbelievable poise. Got to get him back to that point.
“I am starting to wonder if you even watch much basebal”
That’s pretty insulting if you ask me.
“And please explain to me how AAA is a joke again?”
AAA is mostly filled with fringe guys and failed prospects. Playing well in AA is the true test for a prospect. The difference in competition between AA and AAA is not very large. Once a prospect excels in AA (like Kennedy has done) AAA is almost an afterthought.
I suppose in this case it’s a good way to get Kennedy consistent innings and regain confidence (which SJ44 mentioned in his first post). Saying he needs more time in AAA is asinine though.
He simply needs time to regain confidence. I believe he could have done that in the majors but I concede it’s a good idea to put him in a non-pressure situation in AAA and let him get consistent innings.
Re: Rasner.
I would say that you probably don’t want to make any assessments about Rasner just now. It’s, like, kind of early for that?
Tough inning for Rasner; hope he settles down
I’m going to stop talking about Kennedy’s demotion. Instead lets discuss how much of an upgrade Rasner is over Hughes!
So…
4 weeks into the season, Lester & Bucholtz have been dominant and times and proven they belong.
Hughes bombs and then gets hurt. Ian bombs and gets dumped to AAA.
Tough stretch for Yankee fans…
Bring back IPK! Think this guy will get us through 5 with 3-4 runs. I don’t. Classic AAAA pitcher. IPK much more talented if he can get his head straight>
So I know how much you all love Michael Kay and think he is the greatest Yankee announcer ever but before break he says, “Rocky start for Rasner”.
Now I am no baseball genius but since when did one bad pitch in the first inning equate to a rocky start. Am I missing something or does that one bad pitch signal that Rasner sucks and this was a mistake by Rasner? Just curious if anyone can shed light on the comments by Mr. “Voice of the Yankees”.
He is such a freakin tool.
Do you really think Fernando Vina can spot something Kevin Long can’t?
Its not a matter of finding the problem. The problem Vina is describing is called “drifting”. Anybody with any knowledge of hitting can see it while watching video. Its up to Cano to fix it.
Kevin Long can’t hit for him.
His father (who is his de facto hitting coach) and Long know the problem. Robbie just has to keep grinding and he will fix it.
He’s too good a hitter not to hit this year.
Go Bobby!!! A bomb and we are even…
So I know how much you all love Michael Kay and think he is the greatest Yankee announcer ever but before break he says, “Rocky start for Rasner”.
Well it was a rocky start for him. I think you are reading into it too much.
Was Silva from the Twins, and suspended for Roid use?
Bring it on, Godzilla!!!
Pepper,
I noticed the same thing.
It wasn’t a “rocky first inning” for Rasner.
He made a mistake on a pitch to Beltre and it hurt him.
That’s it.
Geez, we can’t expect the guy to be Cy Young.
If he gives them a quality start, its an upgrade to what they were getting in that slot so far this year.
That should be the benchmark in judging Rasner’s outing today.
SJ44,
It’s a joke/comment. take a chill pill will you? You’re not everyone’s father.
Your know it all tone is condescending.
Kevin Long wake up!! Robbie Cano is in a slump!!!!
Kay bashed Cash? Not a surprise - he has an enormous man-crush on Joba and HATES Phil Hughes…….as he thinks that Phil is a #4 starter, it’s pretty clear that he thinks Cash is a fool for not making the Santana deal. I’ve started to tune him about when it comes to anything having to do with Phil. Lupica? I haven’t read him in years and nothing he says interests me. I have no idea who Breton his, but sounds like another mediot who has no clue about anything. In a few years, when Phil is pitching up to his potential, are these clowns going to be saying they were wrong? Nope, but then again at that point, who cares? I still won’t be reading or listening to Pukica.
It wasn’t a “rocky first inning” for Rasner.
Wow you guys are reading into this way too much. Kay just commented it was a rocky start. I don’t think he is saying that Rasner’s entire day is rocky or whatever but the beginning has been “rocky”.
the shift is on and this .180 hitter is going to hit right into it because he doesnt want to mess up his swing?
Giambi is really beginning to bother me. I’m trying to be optimistic about it and all, but sometimes…GUH!
Oh hey look Giambi grounds out to the right side with men in scoring position. I was not expecting that.
That was unexpected
Giambi is going to be the end of me!! Bench him Joe!!
heeeee, won against Bedard and Hernandez, but getting shutout by Silva.
Rasner for 2 innings and Ohlendorf for 3?
Mel, thanks. LOL So, already Phil Hughes is a bust according to Breton (never heard of him - he should go back to whatever minor-league newspaper he came from)? I have to ask - is this just media hatred for Phil Hughes or does the mainstream media treat every highly touted kid who struggles like this? It has to be the former - Homer Bailey didn’t get knocked and, after his nightmare against the Yankees, was anyone killing Buccholz? Of course, he’s now gone on to pitch very well, but it seems to me that there has been ZERO tolerance for Phil. The media, the scouts, the “experts” - it’s like the kid has no shot at all of being any good.
Jason using Wangs bat? Why does Wang even have a bat?
Giambi hits into the shift again.
You wonder how low his BA has to go for him to realize he isn’t going to hit this year unless he uses the entire field.
First pitch by Silva in that AB is a fastball down the middle of the plate. Instead of taking it, that’s a pitch you drive the other way.
Unfortunately, because of the injuries, they are stuck playing him.
However, its getting close to decision time with Giambi.
Betemit had 3 hits last night and when he is ready to come back, they have 3 options:
1. Send Gonzalez down. That would be a mistake, IMO.
2. DFA Giambi. Probably won’t happen but, it may be on the table if this keeps up.
3. Find a injury for him to have “suffered” and put him on the DL.
Not appetizing options.
Is there anything Giambi can do right on the baseball field? He can’t hit and certainly can’t field.
Giambi is now 2-26 with runners in scoring position, effectively killed a rally AGAIN. Do I really need to make any more of a case for why Giambi should not be hitting 5th ?
Patrick, not reading too much into it, just pointing out that it was a stupid comment. Now it the samething continues over 3 innings, then fine. But after the first? He didn’t get beaten up, made one bad pitch.
The equivalent comment would have been, “Giambi grounds into the shift, as usual, tough at bat for jason, can’t seem to find the holes.”
giambi will try ANYTHING, even using wang’s bat to get going.
anything except hitting it where there is no infielder.
Wang couldn’t have done much worse with his bat than Giambi did.
Silva is an ex-Twin, but I don’t remember anything about a suspension for him
It is a shame that the downside of Pete having a popular blog, is it gets full of fools.
“Oh hey look Giambi grounds out to the right side with men in scoring position. I was not expecting that.”
But Patrick - he does that all the time. I wonder if you even watch baseball!
(wait, maybe that was sarcasm? must reconsider)
LOL Jax…….And Phil Hughes will be the only member of the “I’m young, struggling and now hurt, so I am now officially a bust and there is no point in pitching anymore” club.
EXACTLY what Rasner needed, awesome.
Who will end up playing the most first base for the Yanks this year? I’m guessing it won’t be Giambi.
Blargh, who was it that was suspended than?
Nice inning for Rasner.
Great inning for Rasner there.
patrick, just stating what a tool Kay is and that his comments are just stupid.
Now 2 innings in, Rasner is averaging 2.1 pitches per ab and made one mistake.
If the Yankees had a hitter playing 1B today, a single would have tied the game.
Nice inning. I’m relieved already. This is Hughes’ replacement, not Kennedy’s. We’ll have to wait to see who comes up for Kennedy.
Giambi should be released around July/August. Most of his contract for this year would have been paid and they can’t get draft picks for him anyway.
Ok I saw the sports reporters and didn’t interpret it as too much Yankee bashing as compared to typical Lupica poison. Lupica said Cashman has not done a good job finding young pitchers except for Wang and probably Joba. Kay tried to defend them throwing the name Eric Milton in, but it’s a tough argument to defend at this point.
As for Santana, Kay said the trade might not look good for the Yankees for 4 years. I’m hoping much sooner than that, but that’s tough to argue with too. I actually think Kay is usually pretty fair, except when he tries to bash the Yankees to seem impartial. Lupica puts him in the position to defend the Yankees though.
Juan Rincon got suspended in 2005
Maybe Giambi should use wangs bat to bunt.
Okay I predict Robby comes out of his slump today - a little at least.
COME ON ROBBY!
i was worried about bobby mercer when i listened to him on friday, he sounded very frail. today he sounds much better, stronger voice. i guess it was just that he missed spring training. nice to hear him today.
Teams no longer consider Giambi a viable threat in the lineup. He’s as predictable as the new year falling on the 1st day in January.
“2. DFA Giambi. Probably won’t happen but, it may be on the table if this keeps up.”
Yes please.
“Patrick, not reading too much into it, just pointing out that it was a stupid comment. Now it the samething continues over 3 innings, then fine. But after the first? He didn’t get beaten up, made one bad pitch.”
The first inning is the start of a game. Darrel Rasner gave up 2 runs in the first inning. Giving up 2 runs in one inning is not good, one might say it’s “rocky”. Hence he is off to a rocky start.
Earlier I heard the Mariners broadcasters saying that there was a lot of yelling and the Mariners clubhouse and it was closed to the press. I don’t know if it was last night or today but obviously they got read the riot act.
0-1 Cano. At least he’s playing up to our expectations.
patrick, just stating what a tool Kay is and that his comments are just stupid.
Now 2 innings in, Rasner is averaging 2.1 pitches per ab and made one mistake.
If the Yankees had a hitter playing 1B today, a single would have tied the game.
Kay is indeed a tool but that comment was not a good example of him being a tool.
ppl think i hate giambi but i really dont. its just that he has to realize that hes not the hitting stud he once was and he has to do things like hit the other way when there are RISP. also i still cant believe cash sent us into this season intending to use giambi and the regular 1B and didn’t get (or keep) a glove guy to cover leads with. giambi can swing away when there are no risp or when hes on a hot streak, he just has to earn his ab’s when he slumping like this.
It seems that Silva is hittable today. How much we do it remains to be seen.
Since I am so bad with predicting final scores I’ll try my hand at it again! 5-2 Yanks.
GO YANKS!
Lupica should just marry Kay…. they would make the perfect loser couple. Neither has much credibility anymore, if they had any. They both have become Fox News type journalist .
Blargh
Thanks. I couldn’t remember who it was.
Aside from Kennedy’s 19 innings at the end of last year against less then stellar competition (out of contention Jays/ D-Rays 2x)- what makes everyone think Kennedy is the next coming of Mike Mussina or a poor man’s Greg Maddox?
His calling card is pinpoint control (which he failed to display in his 2nd go around)and because of his lack of any plus pitch, he must rely on that control. How can say anyone at his age, with the lack of ANY plus pitch, he could project to be anything special at all beyond a 4-5?
People point to “its not all about the gun”- no its not, but Greg Maddox is an aberration who early on in his career still hit 91 consistently with the most pronominal changeup maybe ever. The Mussina comparisons I hear about are patently false. Mike Mussina had a plus curve, an above-avg slider/knuckle curve and a solid 92mph fastball, that he could dial up to 94 if needed. Hughes has his curve, which when he’s healthy (a question mark now) is a 70 on the 20-80 scale. Joba has his fastball/slider, which are both 80’s. Kennedy lacks all of this.
Not trying to be fatalistic, but realistically, Kennedy does not have a pitch he can consistently go to to get an out in the major leagues through three turns through the lineup.
Scranton is the best place for him, the sad reality is he may be a AAAA player who got way overhyped.
Bobby Murcer in Studio 54? Does not compute.
Unless he gets going this month, the noise re: Giambi is not going to lessen.
Its tough enough to win games in the AL. There is just no way they can win with him at first base.
Its tough enough to win with him at first if he is hitting. Like this? No shot.
Folks think Hank is blowing a gasket over the young pitchers? He isn’t.
Imagine going to Hank and Hal and telling them they have to eat over 15 million dollars (the amount owed on Giambi’s contract from June 1 on) and DFA him?
That’s not a conversation I would want to have with ownership if I am the GM.
Looking at the lineup, wouldn’t it make more sense to move Cabrera into the 5th spot, Endsberg to 6th, then have Cano, Giabmi, Moeller.
Here is the thinking, Cabrera has a better chance of finding a hole than Giambi. Moving Endsberg up gives you at least a chance of someone who can “do the job” of moving runners up or bunting.
Then with Cano following Giambi, might give Cano some better pitches if Giambi walks.
Grabbing at straws here but something needs to be shaken up if Giambi is going to hit.
Another easy out for Rasner… good sign.
That would have been a beauty.
Giambi defied gravity…
SJ44
It should not be that hard to have the dfa conversation with Hank and Hal. Didn’t big George insist upon signing Giambi?
ichiro is so freakin good. he’s up there with jeter in the intangables department, his game is so far above the sum of his stats.
Kay going clubbing doesn’t compute.
Nice Bobby.
Bobby likes making plays moving AWAY from the wall.
Huh? What kind of change-up is a pronominal change-up?
“Imagine going to Hank and Hal and telling them they have to eat over 15 million dollars (the amount owed on Giambi’s contract from June 1 on) and DFA him?”
If I’m Cashman I tell Hank and Hal you can thank your old man for that awful contract.
funny murcer brought up rickey to compare to ichiro, i was just thinking the same thing. ichiro is a much better fielder than henderson though.
Okay, would be lovely to get some offense from the Yankees.
Solution to right field next year. Re sign Abreu. Put extra padding on the right field wall. Hand the gold glove for 09 to Bobby.
I wish Ichiro played for us.
Geeze, we already in the 3rd and the pitcher has less than 75 pitches.
Thank you Darrel.
Phenomenal- sorry, but you know what I meant.
just got direct tv and the extra innings pack, that mlb game mix channel with 8 games on one screen is awesome!
Hmmm never tried that. I wonder if I have capacity also since I have both DirectTv and extra innings.
For all the talk, I would be surprised if Giambi is DFAed.
I think once A-Rod comes back, he will be bumped to the bench with Ensberg taking over at first. As bad as he may be, Giambi will add value as a bench player.
No worries, I was just curious. I thought it was a description for a specific kinda of Maddox change-up I hadn’t heard of.
Pepper,
The only problem with Giambi, Cano and Moeller hitting back to back to back is, you have 3 struggling guys all in order in the lineup.
Often, managers look to avoid having all of their weaker hitters stacked at the bottom of the order.
Its one of those tough situations for Girardi. Mainly, because of the injuries. When you have both Cano and Giambi in the lineup at the same time right now, its tough sledding.
Kei Igawa not passing his audition thus far against Durham. Two doubles and a walk in the first inning and Durham scored 2 runs.
Wilson Betemit hit his third double (he’s now 6-13 in AAA) and Brett Gardner just singled him to third and Jason Lane hit a sac fly to make it 2-1.
BBFan I agree with you. I’ll root for the Sux if Giambi is DFAd, that how much I believe it’ll never happen. I also believe he has value on the bench.
No need to DFA Giambi, he can still make a contribution this season. Velcro him to the right field wall and presto, there’s the extra padding that Bobby Abreu needs to feel more secure going after those deep flies.
Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
SJ,
That question is getting easier all the time sadly! 12 hits in 101 plate appearances is pathetic!
I know Miranda is hurt right now but I would love to see a Shelley Duncan and Juan Miranda platoon at first for the rest of this year.
Yeah, Ichiro with the Yankees would have been awesome. Sadly, he resigned with the Mariners…although he said he would enjoy playing for the Yankees.
I’m asking myself if there wasn’t the possibility of an under-the-table kinda deal to show Ichiro that the Yankees wanted him for next year…
gameday says ‘injury delay’. what happened?
I agree that Giambi has value on the bench. Back in the championship years, Strawberry would just grab a bat in the dugout and it would effect the moves the other manager would make. Of course Giambi needs to be something of a hitting threat for that to happen.
nice job Bobby, 2-1 Seattle. C’mon Matty!
Way to go Bobby. Lets keep it rolling. Go Matsui!
1-2! now, yankees are in business
When did Betemit’s corneal ulcers clear up?
Win or lose, I’d like to thank the Mariners for coming ot town, because the top of our lineup is finally consitently putting decent wood on the ball. We just may be coming around offensively.
That was excellent base running by Damon.
He has really come around and now he is the sparkplug we expected him in the first place.
Well, hey, the top of the order is producing!
double play?
Giambi’s “value on the bench” is that he isnt in the lineup. How is a guy hitting under .200 worth much of anything as a hitter? Since he isnt useful as a… late inning defensive replacement.
Nick in SF,
That was funny!
Since this place is so crazy so much of the time, this comment is certainly not personal since I would have no way of remembering what posters called for whose head on what day. But I have to say that anyone who wanted Damon gone is a total idiot. There is no way to overstate his value. Yeah his arm in center is just not fun. In fact I was someone who would have rather jumped off the GW Bridge than had Damon on the Yankees. But I have really grown to appreciate him so much. He is a sparkplug, and he does work harder than most players. How often did he play hurt but just keep going out there and hustling all the time? And I love him at leadoff and love his hustle.
thank god for godzilla!
Left-handed hitter looking to hit the other way. Hmmmmm.
Here comes the rally killer!
cmon giambi, come through
Break out here Big G!
Here is where Cabrera is a better option than Giambi. base hit scores 2
Hey, if it gets a run in off of Giambi’s bat, I’ll take it.
And now Matsui’s hitting streak is 14 with the ground rule double. He looks so much more comfortable this season.
That was Giambi’s best at-bat in recent memory. Just look to do that every time, G-Man!
good hitting the other way giambi
Good job Giambi, at least in this situation. 3-2 Yankees. let’s keep it going Melkster!
how the heck did that not fall? Can Giambi continue to go away?
It’s terrible, but I find myself rooting AGAINST Giambi getting hits now.
Every hit prolongs his stay in the lineup, and I just don’t think he’s ever going to come around in a meaningful way.
Melkman!
The melkman delivers!
I LOVE MELKY!
You know, I’m thinking maybe he was the real untouchable in the Santana thing. He’s certainly playing like it.
Wow! That was a bomb! Melky! Melky!
DRIVEN DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPP TO RIGHT FIELD!
MELK MAN BABY!
OMG, Melky’s growing up right before our very eyes!
oh, by the way, THIS is what a rocky inning for a pitcher looks like…
Melkman delivering the sweet nectar.
Hey Fleas and other Santana freaks.
You continually see why the trade for Santana was the best trade never made.
WOO HOO MELKY!
Not an easy pitch to hit either…good job Melky. He’s having a great run…
Melkman continues to prove to the Santana lovers why him and Hughes >
melky is too funny can we get a picture in picture on the bottom of the screen with a camera on him throughout the game. he cracks me up.
Rebecca…
You got it!
Remember all of those that said Melky was a 4th outfielder?
Yha, right. 27/08.
i loved ensberg’s hop after melk’s hr!!
I hope this is not both a jinks and anomoly but if the current hitting continues, I will have nothing to gripe about… What is to become of the Yankees getting hits with RISP?
Bad Seattle pitching or things slowly coming into play….. Yikes, too early for me to start eating crow, garden hasn’t even produced.
MELKY MELKY! I love him
robbie!!!!
“It’s terrible, but I find myself rooting AGAINST Giambi getting hits now.”
Make that 2 of us.
Melky all star 08!!
holy crap!
HR #6 for Melkly and it’s only May 4. Don’t forget he makes $460k this year. Unbelievable!
Woohoo…Robbie!!
CANO! OH CANO DONT CHA KNOW!
Just a reminder.
I said this would be the day that Robby broke out of his slump!
OKAY ROBBY!!!!!
YAH ROBBIE! BACK TO BACK AND A BELLY TO BELLY!
Welcome back ROBBIE!
DOMINICAN POWER! lol
Wow. Nice to see Robbie.
Back to back and belly to belly! How great is that?
“Melkman continues to prove to the Santana lovers why him and Hughes >”
I’d still give up those 2+ prospect for Santana.
Melkys power numbers are a mirage, he won’t hit 20 this year.